​Read on to hear from Yard Sale for the Cure participants about why they hosted a yard sale.

Treasure hunting at Yard Sale for the Cure

 

RE/MAX realtor Leslie Bullock is a Yard Sale host extraordinaire. At her RE/MAX Garden City Realty Yard Sale, she has sold a boat, modular garages, couches, art, barbecues, televisions, glassware and outdoor patio heaters. “You could outfit a house,” she says. 

Word has spread about the treasures at this Burlington Yard Sale. Last year, 2,000 people Shopped for the Cure. People understand that every penny goes to the Foundation, Bullock says. Since hosting her first Yard Sale in 2007, the event has raised nearly $16,000 for the Foundation. Last year’s fantastic event raised $9,500!

Yard Sale for the Cure is the Foundation’s second signature fundraising event. Bullock’s Yard Sale has become a community event, which raises even more for the Foundation. Over 45 community members donate items to sell. A team of 40 volunteers helps out at the sale. Ten RE/MAX realtors contribute items or time. “What I like the best is the way my community comes together,” Bullock says.

On May 28, at Yard Sale, Bullock hopes to raise $15,000 for breast cancer research and awareness. She’ll keep her eye out for some treasures. “I shop my own sale,” she says. Last year, she bought a fabulous lamp. “You can get virtually anything at this sale.”

Rachael's story

At first when I thought about being the spokesperson for Yard Sale for the Cure I was nervous – who would want to listen to me? Wouldn’t it be better to have a celebrity? Turns out that lots of people want to listen to a “normal” person who lives in their neighbourhood.

That gave me the courage to become the spokesperson and taking on that role gave me a further feeling of control over breast cancer. Conquering cancer has been a mental and physical challenge, but once conquered mentally - I knew I had won. Talking about my experiences with news reporters, being proud of my short hair and “doing something about it” put me in charge and it felt like I was finishing the fight that I had started with surgery, chemo and radiation. As a good friend of ours said, “If I was cancer, I’d be scared.”

Jen's story

I heard about Yard Sale for the Cure one day when Andrew (Rachael’s husband) was telling someone else about it. My mother had been going through breast cancer treatments and I had to get involved to help. I told Andrew that night that I wanted to help and he thanked me. I called him the next day and made sure he knew I really meant what I said – “Put me to work!” The experience gave me a lot of exposure to new and different people and their thinking and has even been part of the inspiration for my new company “Shifting Momentum.”

Kelly's story

I'm involved in Yard Sale for the Cure because too many people close to me have had to “fight the battle” against cancer: my grandparents, my dad, my father-in-law, my girl-friend and now my best friend. Not all of them won. I don't want anyone else to lose.

Bob's story

Uninvited and unannounced, cancer arrived at our door one day in December 1999. It just showed up in my father as Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma - not the prostate cancer that took his father and that he had been diligent in guarding against. He was an otherwise extremely healthy individual who left this physical earth two years after retiring. That's why our family supports one cause - ending cancer. An equally uninvited guest showed up at the door of our very good friends, Rachael and Andrew, not long after our own involvement. Clearly we were going to be engaged in the fight. Cancer has knocked on too many doors in our lives; we'd rather it stopped knocking. So we're going to stop it.

Andrew's story

Someone recently said to me that they wished life didn’t have to “kick you quite so hard in the head” to get you to truly listen. Well, Rachael’s breast cancer caught my attention alright. The best analogy for me is to equate being involved to that feeling you get when you’ve given someone the perfect gift. It’s so pleasing and so totally different from the wonderful feeling of getting the perfect gift. Having lived primarily with “the getting” half of that equation, I’ve come to realize that I was missing out on a lot. I’ve also found that the people we’ve met who are involved are wired a little bit differently. They have more energy, seem to accomplish more and they are just great to do things with. They seem to be very successful at what they do AND happy - an interesting combination.

Kari Lynn's story

She was my confidante, friend and mentor – she was my Aunt, and she battled cancer for almost 20 years. She finally succumbed at the young age of 57. My grandparents were even younger than that when they passed away from cancer. My mother, in her 60s, is thankful every year, knowing she has passed their lifetime milestones. My family is my inspiration in donating to cancer related charities. On a lighter note, I’m a self-proclaimed “pack-rat.” Because of this, I faithfully host an annual yard sale. I’ve finally learned to purge! When I heard of the Yard Sale for the Cure, I couldn’t believe my luck. Two things I am most passionate about combined into one great event! Contributing more money to breast cancer research, while at the same time getting rid of my clutter - it doesn’t get any better than that!

Kelly Kenny's story

I know a wonderful woman who is in the prime of her life and has everything – a beautiful five year old daughter, a loving husband, brothers and sisters and parents she is close with, a roof over her head in an amazing community, a successful career, you name it. She also has cancer. It started with breast cancer two and a half years ago and now it has spread to her brain and her lungs. This courageous woman has been through more treatments then you can shake a stick at and still she smiles and perseveres. We must find a way to create a future without breast cancer so that her daughter and our daughters will never have their lives cut short. That’s why I’m involved.

Kathy Calverley's story

Cancer runs in my family, but breast cancer itself was a new one for us. As it is for anyone, it was devastating to my family, my friends and me. With a newborn and a toddler at home, I really didn't have time to be sick. Most days, that's the attitude I took and during the bad times, family and friends were always there to pick up the pieces. Thanks to them, I am a survivor and eager to do my part in helping others become survivors too. I remember the day Andrew (Rachael’s husband) called and told me about Yard Sale for the Cure. I was sitting on my deck enjoying the sunshine and thinking, "how much sense does this make?" and "why hasn't someone done this before?" I was so excited for Rachael and Andrew and instantly told Andrew to keep me in mind when they hit Edmonton. That day has come and I'm honoured to be a part of Yard Sale for the Cure to raise money for breast cancer research.

Joanne Stevenson’s story

When my friends Carolyn and Mike asked me join their team for Yard Sale for the Cure I was honored and excited. As a two time cancer survivor I was anxious to assist in a creative event like Yard Sale for the Cure, which helps to raise money for cancer research and to build awareness. Each and every one of us is touched by cancer in one way or another. Because of cancer research and medical advances I am one of the lucky ones that is still here. I get to see my boys grow. I get to share the love and laughter of being with family and friends. I get to hear the birds sing. I get to smell the spring air. I get another chance; A chance to help make a difference. By participating in Yard Sale for the Cure I am helping bring hope to others.

Shelly's story

Last summer I was alerted to breast cancer after noticing a lump. I went through a series of tests and examinations; learned a lot more of my family history with the disease and thankfully have come out of the experience with a clean bill of health and far greater awareness. I wanted to get involved with Yard Sale for the Cure because of the community involvement and the interest in helping out with something that is close to family and friends.

Christy’s story

After a 22 year fight against breast cancer, Christy Teasdale’s mother, June Melnik, passed away in September 2003. Although you never stop grieving inside for the loss of a loved one, Christy knew that helping to raise funds to support those working to find a cure for breast cancer would be the best external tribute that she could make to her mother’s memory. And, as a mother of 2 daughters, a sister, a niece and a friend, it would also help to build a future where no other loved ones will have to hear the devastating words that they have breast cancer. Christy is Vice Chair of the Ontario Region Board of Directors of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. She has been dedicated to raising funds and participating in the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure. Christy says, “It is only through involvement and commitment that we can truly make a difference.”

John’s story

I wanted to get involved in Yard Sale for the Cure to help make a difference in the lives of those who are currently living with breast cancer. I've known a few remarkable women who have the disease and I've always been amazed at their resolve. I truly admired their spirit as they endured even the toughest days of treatment. I think that spirit is captured in this unique community event. What I love about Yard Sale for the Cure is that it brings the community together to support an amazing cause while also building upon that neighborhood spirit among survivors, friends, and family. I am grateful for the opportunity to get involved in such a great cause and I'm looking forward to getting involved with the Peterborough community to help create a future without breast cancer.